A simple yet powerful method to produce carbon nanotubes is described. The growth is carried out directly on a heated support by the decomposition of gaseous hydrocarbons in a cold atmosphere without the requirement of an additional heating source. The technique allows the production of homogeneous films of well-graphitized nanotubes of shapes predetermined by the shape of the heated support, and also allows their lengths and density to be controlled. This is important for the maximization of the emission site density when films are used as cathodes in field emission devices. A 40 cm long mercury-free field emission luminescent tube could be realized.
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Croci et al. (2002) studied this question.